The digital revolution is here. In the years to come, everyone is going to need to know how to code. Jobs of the future are going to require a solid understanding of computer science, and none of us can underestimate the importance of even a basic knowledge of coding.
Millions of people of all ages across the world have already joined the revolution. Over 65 million people worldwide in fact. Have you? It’s not too late – visit http://code.org/educate/hoc to get started.
During Computer Science Education Week this week, Microsoft offices all over the UK have been buzzing with activity as hundreds of employees gathered to complete their Hour of Code. In the last five days alone, over 1,000 Microsoft employees in the UK have taken part, and mostly those with non-technical roles.
Trish a Watson, Public Sector Marketing Lead, Microsoft UK, completed her Hour of Code this week. She explains why she got involved, even though her job currently doesn’t require knowledge of computer science:
“Coding is such an important skill for the future, for all of us. I did my Hour of Code this week because I was intrigued and liked the idea of being part of a global initiative. It’s exciting to learn something new, which everyone is talking about and which will help all of us in the future. It’ll make our lives easier, make tech easier to consume and prepare us for how our jobs will evolve in the future.”
In the last five days alone, over 1,000 Microsoft employees in the UK have taken part in the Hour of Code
December 12, 2014
Dani Schuchman, Business Program Manager, Microsoft UK, did the same, and encouraged his team to join in too:
“We are living in a digital world where aspects of IT and Computer Sciences are part of our everyday life – controlling heating in our home, programs we use at work, ordering online and even how we interact with TV shows. I think that Hour of Code is a great initiative to raise awareness of Computer Sciences and showing how much fun this can be. I enjoyed taking time out of my daily routine to learn something new in a fun environment that thousands of others like me were participating in. I think it is important for everyone to get involved because coding is important to all aspects of life and education – sitting alongside reading, writing and arithmetic.”
As part of the coding celebrations this week, Microsoft hosted an Hour of Codathon to drive as many employees as possible to complete their Hour of Code together. Employees were encouraged to capture their coding experience to share with their colleagues and persuade others to get involved by sharing selfies during their Hour of Code. A winner was picked at the end of the week, and Chris Speer, Technical Solutions Specialist, won the competition for his picture, in front of hundreds of first time coders.
“The Hour of Code is a creative and easy way to bring coding to the masses, more specifically to the youngest students and those new to coding,” says Chris. “It was wonderful to feel part of this campaign – the Hour of Code really captures the concept of coding and is a brilliant way to get younger generations feeling more passionate about Computer Science. This is a much better way of teaching coding than the way I learnt – it’s great to see so many companies working hard to make learning to code more engaging and interesting.”
As many people across the world have already discovered this week, coding is a vital skill which we will all need in the future. In the UK, our economy depends on us being able to compete in a digital world and learning these skills with secure our success.
Millions of people of all ages across the world have already joined the revolution
December 12, 2014
Hayley Shaw is Social Media Community Manager at Microsoft and is now an advocate of the wider benefits of learning to code: “I completed the Hour of Code as it is a fantastic opportunity to prove that everyone has the ability to get involved with coding and that it can actually be a lot of fun! I expected it to be really challenging as I haven’t tried coding before but it wasn’t at all. It was fun to work out the different puzzles and was a real achievement to get to the end. It definitely developed my problem-solving and analytical skills which are transferable to my day-to-day role.”
This week, Microsoft also launched Microsoft Imagine to help everyone to continue their coding journey into 2015 and beyond. This new programme easily connects students of all ages and skill levels with the tools and knowledge they need to create, code and develop ideas. This launch marks an exciting new opportunity for students of all skill levels, and we urge you to see what it has to offer.
“Whether it’s a 10-year-old making her first game or a university senior building skills and projects for their first job application, aspiring developers can access age and skill-appropriate courses, competitions and communities that can help turn their ideas into reality and support them on their educational journey,” comments Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president and chief evangelist, DX, Microsoft.
To find out more about how Microsoft can help you get to grips with coding, visit http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/youthspark/youthsparkhub/hourofcode/
